Syntactical Structures for Modeling in Preschool Language Training: Selected on the Basis of Potential Contribution to Logical Thinking.

Bellugi-Klima, Ursula; Hass, Wilbur

This listing of syntactical structures was prepared for a research project being carried out under the auspices of the National Laboratory for Early Childhood Education. However, a number of people have found it useful for other purposes. Teachers who are attempting to use the "natural method" of accelerating language development find it helpful in giving children a language lift. The teacher listens to the child and notes the immature syntactical structures used. She then deliberately models the correct syntax and encourages the child to use it by asking him a question; the child's response to this question demands use of the structure. This list of syntactical structures may help the teacher become more aware of which structures are developing during the preschool years and how to help disadvantaged children acquire them. (Author/AJ)